Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

National Rugby League Increases Integrity Unit's Powers Following South Sydney Incident

The National Rugby League will "beef up the powers of its integrity unit" in light of South Sydney's preseason incident in Arizona, which will include "unfettered access to all club records and the right to seize a player's phone or computer," according to Stuart Honeysett of THE AUSTRALIAN. The move came after NRL COO Suzanne Young "admitted the IU had botched its initial investigation into the matter" which saw the Rabbitohs fined A$20,000 ($15,500) on Monday for "not properly investigating the incident themselves." Young: "It would be fair to say the integrity unit has learned lessons out of this incident as well and it will be looking at its processes" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 3/3). In Sydney, Christian Nicolussi reported the NRL integrity unit's "new and revised powers, which will be sent to all 16 NRL clubs this week," include:

  • Confiscating computer data or smartphones for the purpose of an investigation.
  • Providing the integrity unit "full and free access" to a club premises and "any other place where records are kept."
  • Cracking down on breaches in relation to social media, including prohibiting "the display or transmission of any message that vilifies, intimidates or harasses a person," as well as prohibiting "the display or dissemination of sexually explicit or obscene images."
One "high-ranking official at a prominent NRL club was stunned when informed about the integrity unit's strengthened powers, especially the rule that dealt with the handover of computers or phones." The official said, "It's basically a breach of the privacy act" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 3/3). In Sydney, Michael Carayannis reported South Sydney was fined A$20,000 by the NRL while players John Sutton and Luke Burgess "did not come under further scrutiny for their boozy night out while on a team training camp in November." The Rabbitohs have "flagged the prospect of appealing the fine." Both players were charged with "disorderly conduct, fighting," a misdemeanor offense, while Burgess "also faced an assault charge before the charges were dropped." Leading NRL official Shane Richardson -- then South Sydney's CEO -- "was also cleared of any wrongdoing." The Rabbitohs were fined for "not knowing about the payment" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 3/2).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2015/03/03/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NRL-Integrity-Unit.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2015/03/03/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NRL-Integrity-Unit.aspx

CLOSE